Il Re Torrismondo

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Il Re Torrismondo (German roughly: King Torrismondo ) is a tragedy in five acts or 3,340 verses by Torquato Tasso from 1587 .

content

The last section of the content (1.7) relates to the main differences between Il Re Torrismondo and an unfinished and long-unpublished original version with the title Galealto Re di Norvegia (German roughly: Galealto, King of Norway ).

Appropriation

The appropriation is dedicated to Vincenzo Gonzaga , the Duke of Mantua and Monferrato and dated September 1, 1587. Opinions about his tragedy, according to Tasso, diverged insofar as some said that it was serious and painful and therefore more suitable for adults, while others believed that it aroused emotions and moved people, why it was is more suitable for young people. Since Vincenzo Gonzaga is still young, but his behavior is already very serious and prudent, the tragedy is ideally suited for him, but also because, according to Aristotle, it surpasses any other genre in perfection. Gonzaga is not only well versed in both the art of weapons and the fine arts, but is also gifted in their practice. Tasso here emphasizes his poetic talent. He therefore dedicates a perfect poem to such a perfect prince, which, however, in no way outweighs the prince's merits. Accordingly, Tasso hopes that the prince will not punish them with contempt, especially since Tasso's affection for the prince grows to the extent that he knows that the prince also has affection for him. In one aspect, however, the tragedy does not suit the prince: In contrast to the prince, the people in it are all deathly unhappy. However, the miserable could serve as a lesson to the happy, including the prince, insofar as there were elements in the tragedy that could serve as a model for him. Some elements deserved praise, others blame; some could make the prince cheerful, others sad. The tragedy could also serve to purify the prince's mind and in this way to curb his passions, so that the pain of others served his happiness, their folly his prudence, and their misfortune his prosperity. He wishes the prince that God would avert all evil from his house and banish it to the far north, where the act of tragedy takes place. Tasso wanted to share in the prince's joy because the prince had taken him into his house and because Tasso didn't want to be as unhappy as the act of his poetry. Even if the seals ended badly, it would be for the good of the addressee. In this way, the present tragedy, which now belongs to the prince and will achieve fame and honor in comparison to other works, is intended to serve as a memorial to his generosity and to be heard and disseminated in the most distant regions of the north in a wide variety of languages.

first act

Scenes 1-3 (verses 1-826)

  • Princess Alvida, previously plagued by nightmares, is with her wet nurse in the castle of the Goth king Torrismondo, who had previously asked her father Araldo for her hand in Norway, but with the promise to avenge the death of Alvida's brother, who by the Sweden was murdered. Now the wedding is to take place in Torrismondos Castle. Alvida dreamed that night that her fiancé, Torrismondo, was being stolen and that the walls of the castle were oozing blood. Spirits have risen from the graves of the ancestors and urged them to take refuge in a cave in which they will be locked up afterwards. In addition, Alvida and Torrismondo slept together on the trip from Norway to Torrismondo's castle and Torrismondo is now giving her the cold shoulder from Alvida's point of view. In addition, Alvida has been in Torrismondos Castle for 20 days without ever having a wedding.
  • What Alvida does not know is that the reason for the long wait is an agreement between Torrismondo and his friend Germondo, the King of Sweden. Since Germondo has asked Araldo for Alvida's hand several times without success due to the fact that he is the murderer of Alvida's brother, he has come to an agreement with Torrismondo that the latter will ask for her hand and, if successful, leave her to Germondo. Due to the defloration of Alvida, Torrismondo is plagued by remorse against Germondo. As can be seen from a conversation between Torrismondo and his former tutor and current advisor, Torrismondo got to know Germondo when he once left his father's palace to get to know the world. They have become best friends. Torrismondo took part in Germondo's campaigns. One day Germondo went to Norway to attend a tournament that Alvida was also present at. In no time he fell in love with her. Germondo cherished his love for a long time, but never revealed it to anyone except Torrismondo. After the tournament, Germondo tried in a number of ways to make peace with Alvida's father, but his anger over the murder of his son kept refusing. The rejection of Araldo did not lead to resignation at Germondo, but, on the contrary, only fueled his love, so that Germondo has come to the decision to rob Araldo Alvida with a ruse if necessary. Because of the ruse, Torrismondo has also violated his principles and sworn perjury in relation to the avenging of the death of Alvida's brother. Since his current situation is unbearable, Torrismondo intends to take his own life. Another reason Torrismondo cites for his suicide is that in doing so he morally rebalances the marital bond between Alvida and Germondo. Alvida would therefore be a widow and marry again and Torrismondo's sacrilege against his friend would also be avenged. He's also worried that the night he spent with Alvida would mean that Alvida could be pregnant and that a bastard could lead the Kingdom of Sweden.
  • The counselor tries to reassure Torrismondo that Alvida will never consent to marriage with a mortal enemy of her gender. He also advises Torrismondo to give Germondo his sister Rosmonda in exchange for Alvida, who is far more beautiful than Alvida. But Torrismondo is still thinking of suicide.

Choir (827–912)

The choir of the Goths praises the wisdom that, like Minerva, sprang from Jupiter's brain . Wisdom should bring peace and quiet to the north, the birthplace of Mars , even if the north is still foreign to her and Rome is her home. The choir alludes to the campaigns against Constantinople and the sack of Rome in 410 as an example of the warlike nature of the Goths . This would have made the Goths very famous. In addition, there were titans , gods and heroes in the realm of the Goths , but they were different from those of classical antiquity. Wisdom should help Torrismondo, especially since he can look back on a long line of famous ancestors. Torrismondo should live long and terrify the world, should the world oppose or offend the Goths. Since the Goths do not grow olive trees, symbols of peace, wisdom should choose another plant as a symbol of peace and in this way correct the errors of the Goths.

Second act

Scenes 1-6 (913-1470)

After a messenger brings Germondos Torrismondo the news of the imminent arrival of his friend, the queen, i. H. the mother Torrismondos Rosmonda to prepare for this. Rosmonda, who actually wanted to go to the monastery, follows her mother's wishes, but reluctantly, especially since she suggests that Rosmonda should marry Germondo. Torrismondo, meanwhile, makes the necessary preparations for Germondo's wedding and reception for his subjects. . .

Choir (1471–1518)

The choir sings about the virtues of Rosmonda, i. H. the sincerity and chastity. He sings about Rosmonda's desire to become a hunter like women in northern antiquity and to lead an army against the opponents of their country. The choir compares the way of life Rosmonda longed for with that of an Amazon. At the same time, the choir wonders which hero could boast of victory over them if he did not succeed in conquering their hearts. Then the choir of Fama (i.e. fame) invokes that this Rosmonda should bring the ancient heroines closer so that they remain chaste. Fortuna may shoot her arrows of misfortune elsewhere if Fama succeeds in convincing her (and then she would not marry Germondo).

Third act

Scene 1–7 (1519–1952)

While the advisor Torrismondos prepares to convince Germondo to marry Rosmonda instead of Alvida, Rosmonda reveals in a monologue that she is not who she is thought to be. Torrismondo meets Germondo and indicates to him that Germondo will not be able to marry Alvida, but Germondo does not fully understand him and assures him that their friendship will not be destroyed in the world. Alvida in turn receives presents from Germondo through a messenger. From the gifts, Alvida recognizes that Germondo was her brother's murderer and that he symbolically submits to her in order to satisfy her for the murder. The handover and interpretation of the gifts is also an opportunity to tell the story of the death of Alvidas brother in more detail. Alvida's brother died because he was young and inexperienced. His father sent him to war as an ally of the Danes against the Swedes. When the war was over, Araldo organized a tournament. A knight who was protected by armor and did not want to reveal his identity was victorious at the tournament. The prize for victory was a lance and a crown that Alvida gave him. The lance and the crown are part of the gifts Alvida received from Germondo. She believes that the unknown knight is or that Germondo stole both trophies from the unknown knight. She also wonders which of the two - Torrismondo or Germondo - is currently putting her to the test. This confusion is due to the fact that Alvida is unaware of the two friends' ruse. In any case, the gifts have an intimidating effect on Alvida.

Choir (1953–2011)

It appeals to love, which is always victorious in war and also triumphantly on earth, conquering suffering and torment and averting the threatening dispute between people (alluding to the delicate situation in which Torrismondo and Alvida find themselves) should. The choir concludes that true friendship is true love.

Fourth act

Scene 1–6 (2012–2714)

  • The advisor Torrismondos recommended in unctuous words to Germondo that he should marry Rosmonda. Germondo finally decides with a heavy heart to put the friendship with Torrismondo above the love for Alvida.
  • In a conversation between Rosmonda and Torrismondo, she reveals to him that she is not his biological sister, but the daughter of a noblewoman from Ireland. The mother, not related to Torrismondo, Rosmonda had been a prisoner in a campaign by Torrismondo's father against Ireland. Rosmonda, who was not related to Torrismondo, had sworn to her birth mother on her deathbed that she would consecrate herself to God. H. to go to the monastery. Torrismondo's sister, on the other hand, was kept hidden in a cave near the palace where Torrismondo now resides until she was one year old, and then taken away, as evil had been predicted about his successor to Torrismondo's father. The servant who had taken the girl was called Frontone. Torrismondo means, according to her description, to keep silent about the false Rosmonda. He is desperate because he cannot even marry Germondo to Rosmonda and calls the fortune teller and Frontone. When the fortune teller appears and prophesies dire things to the heir to the throne, Torrismondo is irritable and does not believe Torrismondo. From Frontone, however, Torrismondo learns that his sister was hidden and finally sent away because her father had been prophesied that Torrismondo would die and the empire would perish when she reached the age of majority. Torrismondo's biological sister, however, was not brought to Dacia (now around Romania) , as ordered by Torrismondo's father , because the ship on the Frontone started the voyage with her and was captured by the Norwegians. The Norwegian fleet was again attacked by the Goths. While the ship on which Frontone was located was captured by the Goths, the ship on which the sister Torrismondos was escaped from the Goths. The captain of the ship on which Frontone was called was Aldano, the one on the ship of Torrismondo's sister Araldo. According to Frontone's remarks, a messenger arrives at Torrismondos Castle and informs him of the death of Araldo, Alvida, d. H. ultimately named Torrismondo as his successor. Frontone recognizes one of the kidnappers of Torrismondo's biological sister in the messenger. Torrismondo learns from the messenger that Alvida has been adopted by Araldo because his daughter had died shortly before and the adoption of Rosmonda was supposed to comfort him over the death of his daughter. Rosmonda was therefore renamed in the name of his daughter, Alvida. Torrismondo is appalled by this news. To buy time, he told Germondo that the wedding had to be postponed due to the death of Alvida's father. Torrismondo now indicates that he would like to give Germondo Alvida to wife after all. In addition, Torrismondo Germondo would like to donate Norway. He has the feeling that he must also give his land and life for him.

Choir (2715–2779)

The choir wonders what bad surprise heaven, i. H. the stars were ready. The invincible soul or the invincible mind should not bow to the stars. Proficiency is praised which can conquer fate. The north is praised for its efficiency that no bad weather or cliffs (both related to the northern shipping culture) could bend. Efficiency knows no resistance. It is like a ship to which the mountains opened so that they could pass. After all, even the Argonauts would be dwarfed by the proficiency of modern seafarers . Proficiency would even go down to hell and eventually return to heaven, home.

Fifth act

Scene 1–6 (2012–3319)

  • Alvida is desperate because her father has died and Torrismondo now calls her a sister. She believes Torrismondo is rejecting her, since it has now come into the possession of Norway. Instead, Torrismondo now wants to marry her off to Germondo. In desperation, Alvida finally ponders aloud about killing herself. The nurse tries to calm her down, but in vain.
  • Torrismondo's mother is happy about the wedding, not suspecting the turmoil that has occurred in her palace, and complains that her late husband could no longer witness it.
  • Rosmondo intends to satisfy God either by her vow or by her suicide and to come to him.
  • A valet in his lamentation announces to the crowd that Alvida has committed suicide because she did not want to marry Germondo. When Alvida was fatally injured with the knife, Torrismondo found her. Alvida told him that she wanted to take her own life because Torrismondo no longer loved her and he wanted to marry her off to someone else. Torrismondo told her again that he was her biological brother. This time she believed him, but it was now too late to save Alvida's life. Torrismondo gave Alvida one last kiss. Then she died in his arms. Then Torrismondo wrote a letter and instructed the valet to hand it over to Germondo. Finally, Torrismondo had a knife drilled into his chest.
  • From his window, Germondo hears the cry of lament in the streets and suspects nothing good when the valet rushes over to hand him Torrismondo's farewell letter. In the letter, Torrismondo justified his suicide by stating that he had violated Germondo seriously because he could not even make his sister his wife, as she had committed suicide. Germondo is none other than Torrismondo's mother. Torrismondo leaves all his belongings to Germondo and asks him to look after his mother so that she does not have to suffer hardship as a result of his death. The valet also explains that Torrismondo took his own life because he understood that Alvida was his sister and that he wanted to pay off his debt in this way.
  • The queen now also learns from the valet that Rosmonda is not her biological daughter, but Alvida, and that Alvida was raised by the Norwegian king. The Queen threatens to go insane at the terrible news of the deaths of Torrismondo and Alvida. Germondo promises to protect and care for her until the end of her life. Rosmonda, on the other hand, regrets having plunged the kingdom of the Goths into disaster by revealing her true identity. She wishes she died as a toddler. Now she wants to offer herself to the queen as a daughter. Germondo explains that he will not take his own life as he sees it as his duty to take care of Torrismondo's mother.

.

Choir (3320–3340)

The choir deplores the brevity and glory of an empire. Mourning follows victory. Even love and friendship could not help.

Differences between Il Re Torrismondo and Galealto Re di Norvegia (selection)

  • Torrismondo is called Galealto and is not king of the Goths, but of the Norwegians.
  • Alvida is not the daughter of the Norwegian, but the Swedish king.
  • Germondo means Torindo and is the king of the Goths.
  • The messenger who brings Torrismondo or Galealto the news of the arrival of Germondo or Torindo is a simple stranger here.
  • Scene 1 of the first act consists of 195 verses instead of 202.
  • Scene 2 of the first act, i.e. H. the nurse's monologue following the conversation between Alvida and her nurse is missing. Instead, scene 2 of the first act begins with the plot of scene 3 of the first act.
  • While in Il Re Torrismondo the conversation between Torrismondo and his advisor in scene 3 of the first act is the last scene of the first act, in Galealto Re di Norvegia the announcement of the arrival of Torindo or Germondo, which in Il Re Torrismondo only occurs in the first scene of the second act takes place, part of the first act (scene 3).
  • In Il Re Torrismondo, in contrast to Galealto Re di Norvegia (scene 4 of the first act), the monologue Torrismondo or Galealtos, which follows the delivery of the news of the arrival of Germondo or Torindo, belongs to the second act (scene 2 of the second act) .
  • The choir of the first act is missing.
  • Scene 3 of the second act in Il Re Torrismondo corresponds to scene 1 of the second act in Galealto Re di Norvegia .
  • The fragment Galealto Re di Norvegia breaks off at the end of scene 2 of the second act, which corresponds to scene 4 of the second act of Il Re Torrismondo .

people

  • Nutrice (wet nurse)
  • Alvida
  • Torrismondo Re de 'Goti (Torrismondo, King of the Goths)
  • Consigliero (consultant)
  • Coro (choir)
  • Messaggiero primo (First Messenger)
  • Rosmonda
  • Regina madre (mother queen)
  • Germondo Re di Suezia (Germondo, King of Sweden)
  • Cameriera (valet)
  • Indovino (fortune teller)
  • Frontone
  • Messaggiero secondo (Second Messenger)
  • Cameriero (valet)

Literary influences

Further information

  • The purification of the prince by tragedy mentioned in the appropriation is, like the assessment, that tragedy surpasses all other genres of poetics
  • The suggestion that Germondo should marry Rosmonda instead of Alvidia (see scene 2 of the second act) is reminiscent of Aretinos Lo Ipocrito (1542), where Tranquillo is suggested to marry Angizia instead of Tansilla (see scene 13 of the fourth act, scene 8 and 9 of the fifth act) and where Prelio Sveva is to marry instead of Porfiria (cf. scenes 9, 14 and 20 of the fifth act).
  • As in scene 4 of the second act of Il Re Torrismondo , the pros and cons of marriage are the main subject in Aretinos Il Marescalco (1533).
  • The golden age sung by the choir at the end of the second act, which is said to have been less restrictive compared to the present, is reminiscent of the choir singing at the end of the first act by Aminta (1573).
  • The legendary figure Awilda (Alfhild) served as a model for Alvida .

literature

Text output

  • Torquato Tasso: Il Re Torrismondo. In: ders .: Teatro . Garzanti, Milano (Milan) 1983.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Ettore Paratore: "Nuove prospettive sull'influsso del teatro classico nel '500", in: Il teatro classico nel' 500 (1971). Roma (Rome): Accademia degli Lincei: 66